Best of Gilroy 2022

Voted the best

Through painstaking deliberations and difficult decisions, the community voted for their favorites. Now, in this issue, we unveil the winners of the annual Best of Gilroy awards.

Readers had the chance to vote for a variety of businesses, organizations and more through an online ballot that was live for a month. With more than 100 categories to consider, at least 20 selections

had to be made in order for the ballot to count.

We received numerous entries, with the community telling us their favorite places to eat, where to shop, what they like to do on the weekend and more.

The results show many old favorites have once again reclaimed their titles, but plenty of others have been voted the best for the first time.

7455 Monterey Street, Gilroy, CA

Phone: 408-842-6400

Publisher Dan Pulcrano

Editor Erik Chalhoub

Advertising Account Executive Carrie Bonato, Eric Bocanegra, Jeanie Johnson

TO

Creative Services Director Cindy Couling

Production Coordinator Deb Fisher

Designers Jennifer Meyer, Elena Razgonova, Jimmy Arceneaux, Hon Truong

Operations Manager Sean George

Editorial Production Manager Phaedra Strecher

Photography:

Cindy

by Dan Pulcrano.

Best food & drink

FILLING MEAL Prawns scampi pasta with a side of garlic bread and an iced Sprite is part of Old City Hall Restaurant’s menu.

The iconic downtown Gilroy landmark is a great place to bring the whole family, even those who have paws, according to Best of Gilroy 2022 voters.

Voters named Old City Hall Restaurant the Best Family Restaurant, Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant and Best PetFriendly Restaurant in this year’s poll. It’s even the place to belt out your favorite pop songs, as it was also named the

Best Family Restaurant: Old City Hall Restaurant

Best Karaoke spot in Gilroy.

Co-owners Fran and Bobby Beaudet opened the restaurant a little more than a decade ago at the corner of Monterey and Sixth streets in the Flemish-inspired 1905 building that once was the City of Gilroy’s base of operations.

The menu touts a variety of dishes focusing on California coastal cuisine, featuring breakfast, lunch and dinner options.

Together, we’re the best.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING US THE #1 BANK/CREDIT UNION IN GILROY.

We’ve always known we’re better together, and now you’ve made us the best. Of course, we think you’re pretty great too. That’s why we’re hard at work every day, delivering our members a better financial life and helping our community flourish. We plan on serving you and the Gilroy community for years to come, so stop in today and see how we can serve you.

Best

& drink

I would like to take a moment and send out a “BIG” heartfelt Thank You to all my amazing clients, friends and family that voted for me.

With over 21 years of experience, I have a passion and a talent for this work, that I love. Repeat clients and referrals make up nearly all my business, and I attribute the loyalty of my clients to my attentiveness of their needs. “It’s about compassion for what they are going through”. As their real estate broker, I am with them during one of the most stressful times in their lives. For me, customer service is all about being their advocate, and being a bulldog negotiator when I have to be.

With an eye for design and staging along with a team of experts to help with home renovations, I believe that every property can be sold as a renovated property. Through an exclusive contract with Cottage Flooring –Ana Guerrero and our own Staging and Interior Design company SALVAR Interior Design, I’m able to offer my clients access to home renovations and staging that often increase the value of their property, at no up-front cost to my clients.

As a wife, mother and local community member I believe in giving back to the community I live and work in as a board member of the Latino Family Fund and the Class of 2022 Leadership Gilroy, I look forward to helping our community grow.

Please feel free to contact my team and I for all your Real Estate needs – Whether you’re buying or selling, or have real estate market questions we are here for you!

Best food & drink

Best food & drink

Indian Food

Little India

Italian Food

Mama Mia’s

Japanese Food

Sushi Omakase

Kid-Friendly Restaurant

Old City Hall Restaurant

Late Night Dining

Tempo Kitchen & Bar

Locally Made Food Product

Pepper Plant— Blossom Valley Foods Margaritas

La Hacienda Mediterranean Food

Olives Mediterranean Market and Grill

Mexican Food La Hacienda

Middle Eastern Food

Olives

Mediterranean Market and Grill

New Restaurant

Relish Kitchen and Drink

Pet-Friendly Restaurant

Old City Hall Restaurant Pho Restaurant Pho Thanh Anh Pizza Pinocchio’s Pizza Restaurant Westside Grill Romantic Wine & Food Experience

Fortino Winery

Salads

Brew City Burgers

Seafood

Sushi Omakase

Sports Bar

The Claddagh

Steakhouse

The Milias Restaurant Thai Food Saigon-2Siam Bistro

Vegetarian Food

Ginger Cafe Vietnamese Food Saigon-2Siam Bistro

Waitress/ Waiter

Rosario from

OD's Kitchen

Winery

Solis Winery

»12

POUR SOME MORE Blossom Valley Foods’ Pepper Plant barbecue sauce is a must for just about any meal.

THE COMMUNITY THAT GROWS TOGETHER, THRIVES TOGETHER

Best shopping

Best Farmers Market: Gilroy Farmers Market

COLORFUL FRUIT Castellanos Farm offers oranges, peaches and more at its booth at the Gilroy Farmers Market in 2021, located in the Gilroy Premium Outlets every Saturday.

The weekly Gilroy Farmers Market, located in the Gilroy Premium Outlets’ parking lot on 681 Leavesley Road, features more than 20 vendors every Saturday from 11am to 4pm, selling fresh produce and flowers from farms throughout northern California, as well as homemade treats.

Recently under new ownership, the market features

a variety of vendors, with something new to see nearly every week. In addition to the staples of fresh fruit and vegetables, the market in the past has hosted vendors that sold olive oil, honey, baked potatoes, Thai cuisine and more. Local artisans also sell their work.

For information about the Gilroy Farmers Market, visit facebook.com/rsgilroyfarmersmarket.

Erik Chalhoub

Best

Best

Best Care & Service

Best Dance Studio: Lana’s Dance Studio

Even for an accomplished dance organization as Lana’s Dance Studio, what it did in the 2022 Kids Artistic Revue Nationals Dance Finals in Anaheim June 26-July 1 was nothing short of impressive.

Out of the 50-plus studios competing, Lana’s was the only one that had dancers reach the finals in all eight categories. They also ranked first overall in wins and won Studio of the Year and Choreographer of the Year.

Lana Wright is in her 44th year as the owner/director of the studio which has facilities in Morgan Hill and Gilroy.

Since Lana’s Dance Studio opened, dozens of its

alumni have gone on to work all over the world, whether in Hollywood, Broadway, or New York City. Many of them have gone on to compete for a four-year collegiate program.

However, Wright said it’s the relationships she values the most.

Eight of the 10 members of her working staff danced at the studio.

“I feel very blessed to have the relationships with my staff and how we have the same goal of wanting the kids to learn, have fun and always improve,” she said. “It’s phenomenal when you take a step back and see how many kids’ lives you’ve touched. You hope their experience here has made a difference in their lives.”

PERFORMERS Lana’s Dance Studio’s hip-hop team Onyx Premium along with team Sapphires won the Intermediate large group category and were invited back for the Showcase in the KAR National Dance Finals June 26-July 1 in Anaheim.

FOR VOTING REBEKAH CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND KNEADED BAKERY AND CATERING BEST

WEDDING CATERER BAKERY CHEF - KISHON SOUTHY

Best Care & Service

Best Care & Service

crew

inside Gilroy Motorcycle Center’s expanded service department.

Best Care & Service

Flower Shop

Gilroy

Framing Shop

Leedo

General

Interior Design

Stefanie

Health Care

Kitchen Bath

Home Health Care Provider

Visiting

Hotel

Martial Arts

ARTIST

Motorcycle

Nail Salon

Motel

Lodging

Garden

House of Worship

Saint Mary’s

Massage Services

LuxuryDay

Mortgage

Lacey

Agency

Funeral

Gilroy Motorcycle

OB-Gyn

James

Gilroy

Best Care & Service

Real Estate Company

Coldwell Banker Realty

Estate Agent

Tina

to Take a Class

Paint'n

Recycle Center

School— Private

Mary Catholic School

Senior Living Community

Village Green Merrill

Urgent Care Center

Valley Health Center

Veterinarian

Plumbing

Friends

Roofer

Skin Care

Princevalle Pet Hospital Veterinary Hospital/ Office

Medicine

Sports Therapy—Hazel

Princevalle Pet Hospital Wedding Caterer

Kneaded Bakery and Catering

Storage Facility

Storage

Tattoo Parlor

Wedding Event Planner

Fortino Winery Wedding Reception Venue

Tire Shop

Fortino Winery Wedding Venue

Travel Agency

Caravelle World

Fortino Winery

Yoga Studio Best Yoga

Tree Service

Tree

Best Fun

Best Local Band: JJ Hawg

2022 If there’s a party to be had, JJ Hawg will be there.

JJ Hawg is a trio composed of James Avena (guitar/vocals), John Diaz (bassist) and John Michael (drums). They’ve been together since the early 2000s. The band covers a wide range of musical territory, and plays songs such as “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry and “Purple Rain” by Prince, along with their own original material.

“I grew up on a lot of country with my uncles,” Avena said in

GILROY

2022 ROCKIN’ THROUGH THE EVENING

JJ Hawg’s James Avena (from left), John Diaz and John Michael get the party started June 16 to kick off the eightweek-long Downtown Live music series.

an earlier interview. “Merle Haggard, Freddie Fender, Johnny Cash. So we incorporate a lot of that and I think that’s why a lot of people relate to the band in coming to see us, because we’re always going to play something that they recognize.”

The trio is a staple at the Downtown Live Music Series, as well as regulars at various restaurants and clubs throughout the South Valley and beyond.

Erik Chalhoub

We are a 100% volunteer-run, nonprofit organization, focused on high-risk dogs. We can't do this without volunteers and your generous donations. www.sctailwaggers.org

Best Recycling Center in Gilroy and Morgan Hill

Together with our valued customers, we are moving closer to a world without waste. Thank you!

A big THANK YOU to our volunteers and supporters for making South County Tail Waggers the Best Animal Rescue Group!

Recology is proud to be named

Best

MAKE

Bike Ride

Uvas Creek

Golf Course

Eagle Ridge Karaoke

Day Trip

Old City Hall

Movie Theater

Gilroy CineLux Cafe and Lounge

Music Venue

Place to Take the Dog

Heartland Dog Park Place to Take the Kids

Downtown Live Music Series

Run / Hike / Walk Trail Mt. Madonna Small Theater Company

Pintello Comedy Theater

Summer Day Camp

STAR Arts Education

Swimming

Outdoor Event

Hawg

Band

Live Music Series Park

Hill Park

Christopher High School Virtual Event

Nacho Moya’s Paint Nights— Moya Art Gallery